Xago Africa, Alevo Analytics partner with USTDA to offer technical support for energy storage in Kenya

Published 17 May 2017

The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is partnering with Kenyan renewable energy developer Xago Africa and US battery storage manufacturer Alevo USA and analytics service provider Alevo Analytics to support the development of a utility scale solar photovoltaic power plant with integrated battery storage in Siaya County, Kenya.

The project will utilize battery storage technology from Alevo and will be among the first utility-scale battery storage installations in Africa.

A $1.4 million technical study supported by the partnership will also provide detailed analytics for the Kenyan power system and serve as a roadmap to help advance the energy storage market in Kenya. Implementation of energy storage technologies can increase the efficiency and stability of the national grid, allow for increased integration of renewable energy generation sources, and reduce reliance on expensive fossil fuel generation in Kenya.

"Our primary focus is on solar energy which has the potential to eliminate the power shortages that hold back socio-economic development across the continent,” said Paul W Webb, Xago Africa’s Managing Director. “Furthermore, energy storage will transform electricity transmission networks and rapidly accelerate the take-up of renewables, and we are proud to be partnering Alevo which leads the field in battery technology and network analytics. This USTDA funded project builds on our valuable relationship with Power Africa and will lay the foundations for the Kenyan electricity system to become the most advanced in Africa."

“Solar plus energy storage will enable Kenya to increase the adoption of renewable energy as the storage will provide grid stability, help to manage solar intermittency, and provide dispatchability of clean reliable and sustainable power to the Kenyan people,” confirmed Dr Randell M Johnson, PE, Chief Analytics Officer, Alevo Analytics.

Julian Oteng, Xago Africa’s Director of Operations, said “We are also looking at expanding into other territories. Energy storage is coming and we aim to lead the way in North and Sub-Saharan Africa with Alevo Battery Technology. This is the start of a long-term relationship which will help to bring clean power to the 600 million Africans who do not have access to electricity.”

“USTDA is pleased to facilitate new business partnerships between US and Kenyan companies that can spur long-term, sustainable economic growth,” said Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Director Lida Fitts. “The adoption of innovative and cost-effective US technology can help Kenya to meet its energy development goals.”

Xago Africa is currently developing a 40 MW solar power plant at a cost of around $75 million near Lake Victoria which will alleviate the chronic power shortages in Western Kenya. And together with construction partner, Solarcentury East Africa, Xago Africa will provide solar power systems to three schools in the area in addition to its ongoing support for the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation’s school building programme.